PR: The Good, Bad and Ugly
The Three P’s of Successful PR Companies
by Anjelica Cummings on 10/12/2012
Remember in high school when every person carried some kind of label, the one thing that they were known for around campus? Well, I hate to say it, but labels have yet to die and have followed us into the working world.
Just like in high school, the business world carries its own labels, and the industries we work in have their specific labels that make them unique. The world of public relations is no different. Every public relations agency has something that makes it stand out from the rest. Whether good or bad, each firm holds its own trademark, most of which are evaluated on the three P’s: product, press and people.
Product
A commitment to your company’s product is like the “sink or swim” mentality. Our product, the written word, is one of the first ways we are judged, and if the product is lacking, it becomes a direct reflection of our agency itself. From crafting news releases, articles, white papers, awards or social media content, we do it all. These are the tangible items that are seen by the public and often fall under the most scrutiny. Successful PR companies understand the mark that they leave through their writing and make it a priority to see it executed well.
Press
The footprint left in the media is one of the most vital components of any PR agency. At the end of the day, what you say you can do, and the quality of your product, can be significantly diminished without successful media outreach, because if no one sees it, then what good have we really done? We are here to tell the stories of our clients on their behalf, and without media coverage, their voices never reach their full potential. Successful PR companies consistently drive home media coverage again, and again, and again.
People
The people of any PR agency truly define their company and the impression it leaves. Winning PR companies are comprised of talented PR professionals who are innovative thinkers and understand the value of collaboration. I have to believe that one of the reasons MMI Public Relations is so successful is because not only are our people talented, but we have a genuine appreciation for each other. Our work is great not just because we are good PR agents, but because we share authentic relationships with each other that make our jobs feel less like work.
Maybe you are looking to join an agency or hire one. Before you do, make sure you have a real understanding of a firm’s product, press and people. It makes all the difference.
